The red-footed booby is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. Adults always have red feet, but the colour of the plumage varies. They are powerful and agile fliers, harnessing the wind to fly efficiently, but they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings. They forage by catching flying fish from above the ocean's surface and by performing shallow dives. They are found widely in the tropics, and breed colonially in coastal regions, especially isolated islands such as St. Brandon, Mauritius, and the Chagos Archipelago. Although its population is declining, it is considered to be a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It faces threats from climate change, competition with fisheries, human disturbance, and invasive species.
Region
Tropical oceans worldwide
Typical Environment
This species breeds on remote tropical islands and atolls across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Colonies are typically on vegetated islets with mangroves, coastal scrub, or low forest, where they build stick nests in trees or shrubs. At sea, they range widely over pelagic waters, often foraging far from land. They frequent areas of upwelling and often associate with predatory fish that drive prey to the surface.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The red-footed booby is the smallest member of the booby family and is unique among boobies for routinely nesting in trees and shrubs. Adults always have bright red feet, while plumage varies from all-white with dark wingtips to chocolate-brown and intermediate morphs. They are agile fliers at sea but awkward when taking off or landing. Their diet is dominated by flying fish and squid captured by shallow plunge-dives or snatched from the surface.
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and long glides
Social Behavior
They breed in large colonies, typically nesting in trees or shrubs, an unusual habit among boobies. Pairs are largely monogamous, laying a single egg; both sexes incubate and share chick-rearing. Courtship includes sky-pointing displays and bill-touching at the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are mostly harsh grunts, quacks, and chatters at colonies. Males give higher-pitched whistles, while females produce deeper honks, with calls used in courtship and territorial interactions.
